British Columbia Youth Choir (BCYC)

The B.C. Youth Choir 2026 will convene in Cranbrook, British Columbia on May 29-31!

*The British Columbia Youth Choir 2025 in Vancouver, B.C.* under the direction of Darita Seth and accompaniment by Miri Lee.

The B.C. Youth Choir is an auditioned provincial honour choir comprised of singers aged 16-25 from across the province. The choir meets and performs annually during May in conjunction with the BC Choral Federation’s Chorfest event. It’s a fun-filled weekend of rehearsing and performing incredible music at a high level!

The B.C. Youth Choir is unique amongst Canadian provincial youth choirs as it is run by youth, for youth.

The choir is directed each year by a renowned and inspirational choral conductor. Past conductors include:

Jon Washburn
Frances Roberts
Peter Taylor
Kevin Zakresky
Debra Cairns
Heather Johnson
Kari Turunen
Darita Seth

Adam Con
Graeme Langager
Kathleen Allan
Allison Girvan
Carrie Tennant
Jim Sparks
Tracy Wong

Intern Conductor Program

The B.C. Youth Choir selects an aspiring young choral conductor each year to Intern and be mentored under the direction of the chosen clinician. The intern conductor is asked to lead warm-ups, workshops, sectionals, and conduct a piece during the B.C. Youth Choir performance.

Intern Conductors are asked to submit an application consisting of previous choral experience, their interest in this project, conducting videos and two references with valid reference letters written and provided to the BCYC Council. All applications will be reviewed and ultimately decided by the B.C. Youth Choir Council, the BCYC Clinician, Liana Savard and Willi Zwozdesky.

The Intern Conductor position is a wonderful opportunity full of growth and mentorship. Our Intern Conductors have enormously impacted the choral community across B.C. and Canada. One example of this is Carrie Tennant, who was the BCYC Intern Conductor in 2006 and became the B.C. Youth Choir clinician in 2019! Carrie is now the founder and director of the Vancouver Youth Choir, a world-renowned choir from Vancouver, B.C.

BCYC 2024 Intern Conductor Will Clements.

Intern Conductors applications are open until January 30, 2025. All people applying must have their reference letters submitted to manager@bcyc.ca by January 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Click HERE to Apply for the Intern Conductor Position

B.C. Youth Choir 2026 Conductor: Scott Leithead

Scott Leithead is the founder and Artistic Director of both Korora Choir Association and TIME Vocal Jazz Association located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has been invited to conduct provincial and state honour choirs on twenty-nine occasions and he has presented workshops in North America and beyond. Notable appearances include adjudicating the Tampere International Festival in Finland and conducting the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir nine times since its inception.

He has adjudicated both the Choral Canada National Competition for Amateur Canadian Choirs and the Kathaumixw International Choir Festival (2014, 2016, 2023, 2025). Under his direction, Korora was the winner of both the 2015 CBC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and both the 2015 and 2016 Canadian National Music Competition. In the summer of 2019, Korora was invited to perform at the IFCM World Choral Expo in Portugal, where they represented Canada on the world stage. Also in 2019, Korora was featured on an episode of CTV’s “The Amazing Race Canada”.

Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa, and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008–2009, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia, where he conducted the Mascato Youth Choir and workshopped many other choirs in southern Africa. Scott’s passion for innovative and unique choral music experiences has shaped the direction of the Korora Choir Association. In February 2023 he conducted the ISSEA Mass Choir in Johannesburg South Africa featuring international schools from across the African continent.

This year he is thrilled to conduct the Nova Scotia and British Columbia Youth Choirs for the second time and the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir for the tenth time. In addition he will adjudicate Manitoba Choralfest, Ontario Vocal Festival, The Hong Kong International Choral Festival, Comox Festival and Musicfest Canada. His organization will be presenting 13 performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra this season as well.

Scott is a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival and the Edmonton and Whistler Cantando Festivals.

Scott was awarded Choir Alberta’s top honour, the Richard S. Eaton Award, in 2015. He also received Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence award in 2016. He has also been awarded the Syncrude Award for Innovative Direction.

The BCYC May 29-31 weekend includes:

3 days of professional-level rehearsals and music-making
Workshops with world renowned clinicians
Sheet music (yours to keep!)
OPTIONAL: 2 nights shared accommodation
OPTIONAL: shared transportation to Cranbrook, B.C. (leaving from Vancouver on May 29th)
Meals for the duration of the event
Performance at the conclusion of the event
An individual BCCF year-long membership (worth $40)
OPTIONAL: BCYC year-exclusive T-shirt

Venue:

The British Columbia Youth Choir 2026 will rehearse and perform in Cranbrook, British Columbia.

BCYC 2026 Rehearsal and Concert Venue TBA

Fees (all participants):

There is a flat rate of $200 per singer. An extra $125 will be added to the singer’s fee if the singer requires accommodation, and/or an extra fee of $75 will be added on if the singer requires transportation to Cranbrook.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for singers in some circumstances. Requests can be submitted upon audition or application with a paragraph describing your financial circumstances and need for financial aid.

Audition & Apply

Auditions for BCYC 2026 will open on January 3, 2026, and will remain open until February 15, 2026. All applicants must meet the following requirements: